Health Reform Law, What Does The Public Think About It?

By: Nina Bernice

With presidential and a majority Democratic congressional support, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act came into law on 23rd March, 2010. The health reform law’s objective is providing health insurance cover to more than thirty million people. It endeavors to attain this by Medicaid expansion and federal subsidies provisions to assist lower and middle-income earners purchase private medical care insurance. The PPACA is estimated to cost the federal government a total of $940 billion over ten years.

People who fall between 100-400% of the Federal Poverty Level and want their own health insurance on an exchange qualify for subsidies. Eligible insurance buyers will receive premium credits and there is a sliding scale cap for how much they should contribute to their premiums.

The bill also requires everyone to purchase health insurance by 2014 or incur a $ 695 annual penalty. However, low income people have some exemptions from this requirement. The PPACA requires states to expand Medicaid to adults without children, starting in 2014. The Federal Government will cover 100 percent of the costs for newly eligible people through to 2016. Illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid.

The most contentious issue of the PPACA is the “individual mandate” section. This provision requires that all American(except the low income) purchase health insurance by 2014 or incur a annual penalty. Opponents argue that individual cannot be forced to buy a product that they may not need or use. The Justice Department has respond to this argument by noting that every American will need medical care at one point in their lives. As such no one can choose to be excluded from the health care market. Many Americans expect that the court will find this requirement unconstitutional as it is an inappropriate exercise of federal authority, according to a Kaiser Health Tracking Report.

A prime issue for court consideration on 26th March is determining the merits of the health reform law opponents’ arguments on prohibiting claims until 2014 when the individual mandate in 2014 is expected to take effect. According to the Anti-Injunction Act (AIC), claimants cannot make a claim on tax until the tax has been paid by the claimant. Judges in two federal courts have already determined that the Anti-Injunction Act is applicable in this case. This argument by the federal judges might temporarily exempt the Supreme Court from making a decision about the AIA during this election year.

The third issue is the requirement that states expand access to Medicare to all adults who make 133 percent of the federal poverty line. States which do not participate in the expansion will not receive federal funding for medical care budgets. Opposing states argue that this expansion would cause a financial strain on their already overstretched budgets. Additionally, this coercion is by the federal government of state governments is unconstitutional. If the Supreme Court agrees with the states’ side, this could limit whether the federal government can use money as an inducement for the states to comply on any issue.

Lastly, the overarching question is what will happen to ObamaCare after the court’s ruling? Both sides of the debate are almost sure that the court will rule to their favor. What is certain is that the court will support the government on some pertinent issues and also take the opponents’ side on certain issues of this health reform law.

Additional resources on the Health Care Reform Bill can be found at the Kaiser Family Foundation website and HeathCare.gov.

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I usually give them a straight answer: avoid processed foods as much as possible. But, if you take the time to think about what it means to avoid processed foods you will find that it’s a natural nutritional lifestyle that our bodies were evolved to consume (see link 3 about paleolithic diets). We should be reducing or eliminating the consumption of man made foods. So put down those pancakes and have a bowl of fruit with your coffee in the morning, because when you are in doubt on what to eat just rest assured that you cant go wrong with consuming naturally occurring foods.

But dont take my word for it. Here are a couple of resources on what you should eat:

1) The Nutrition Source: What Should I Eat? (Harvard  School of Public Health)

The answer to the question “What should I eat?” is actually pretty simple. But you wouldn’t know that from news reports on diet and nutrition studies, whose sole purpose seems to be to confuse people on a daily basis. When it comes down to it, though—when all the evidence is looked at together—the best nutrition advice on what to eat is relatively straightforward: Eat a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; choose healthy fats, like olive and canola oil; and eat red meat and unhealthy fats, like saturated and trans fats, sparingly. Drink water and other healthy beverages, and limit sugary drinks and salt. Most important of all is keeping calories in check, so you can avoid weight gain, which makes exercise a key partner to a healthy diet.

2) Operah: What You Should Eat Daily (Operah.com)

She is a billionaire for many reasons, and this may be one reason!

3) Should You Be Eating Like The Cavemen? (runnersworld.com)

“The Paleo diet isn’t an oddity,” Cordain says. “What’s odd is the way we’ve been eating the last 10,000 years, and particularly the last 200.”

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Image courtesty of myhomedesign.org

Martial Arts: It’s not about fighting!

By: Maneera Saxena Behl

Not just a tool to beat up bad guys and bullies, but practicing martial art benefits the entire body and mind.

Martial arts are a combination of various self-defense systems and mind-focusing work-outs. Not only does it train one to be an adept warrior, but also ensures that the person practicing this form stays mentally agile and physically fit. Feeling disturbed and angry? Not a problem as martial arts reverses energy imbalances within the body and also calms the raging emotions within one’s mind.

Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Judo are some prominent martial art examples. The term ‘martial art’ is often used to describe the various East Asian fighting arts. The more appropriate origin of the term ‘martial art’ lies in a Latin word meaning ‘Arts of Mars’, the Roman warrior God.

In fact, a study published in the May 1985 edition of Psychology Today Magazine highlighted the confirmed benefits of practicing martial arts. It revealed that people who made any of the above martial arts a part of their daily routine showed lower levels of stress and anxiety and higher levels of self esteem and intelligence. So, here is the scientific reason you were looking for to get motivated enough to get that Black Belt you always wanted!

Martial Arts Demystified

Historically the appearance of the first martial art practices dates back to the late 1^st millennium BC. The modern martial art prevalent in Asia is a unique admixture of early Indian and Chinese martial art practices. In Europe, martial arts appearance dates back to the classical antiquity. The various boxing and wrestling contests which we often get to view on our television sets is a good recreation of the historical gladiatorial combats prevalent in ancient Europe.

Martial art does not alone prepare a fighter in you. These days it is used as a means to promote mental and physical well being. Not only does it give one a sound body, but a sound mind as well. Therefore many people nowadays include martial art practices in their daily health and fitness regimen.

Physical Health Benefits of Martial Art:

Martial arts increases a person’s strength, stamina, coordination and flexibility.

The various physical health benefits of martial arts may be listed as follows:

• Strengthens the lymphatic system and boosts lymph flow
• Improves cardiovascular health and one’s breathing capacity
• Strengthens the digestive and excretory systems
• Helps to lower high blood pressure, triglyceride and cholesterol levels
• Lowers one’s susceptibility to cold, allergies, cancer, digestive disorders, abdominal ailments,  arthritis and other degenerative disorders
• Tones muscles, strengthens muscles and makes muscles injury resistant
• Supplies more oxygen to body cells and tissues
• Strengthens immune system
• Prevents Type 2 diabetes
• Improves glandular functioning
• Gives relief from fatigue and menstrual problems
• Relieves all sorts of aches and pains
• Helps you to sleep better
• Triggers production of red blood cells
• Slows down aging
• Checks obesity by speeding up metabolism and burning down fat

Mental Health Benefits of Martial Art:

Martial art remarkably alters the brain chemistry. The proportion of the various neurotransmitters or brain chemicals like dopamine, GABA or gamma amino butyric acid, serotonin, acetylcholine, endorphins etc are altered and a new balance is restored as a result of martial art practices. This leads to certain emotional, psychological and behavioral changes for the better. Learn the various mental health benefits of martial art at a glance:

• Lessens depression, elevates and stabilizes mood
• Greatly relieves stress and anxiety
• Increases self-esteem and self-confidence
• Improves coping potential
• Elevates mental strength and energy
• Improves concentration, alertness and focus
• Heightens brain power and boosts memory

So now you know why the craze for learning martial arts is becoming so popular these days. Martial arts can provide respite by fostering intensive mental and physical well being for the modern society, where stress and chronic disease are soon spreading their roots.

About the Author

Maneera Saxena Behl is one of the writers at healthviva.com an Indian blog dedicated to health, beauty and fitness. The blog is a flagship portal under the umbrella of healthkart.com  – India’s online shop for health care, nutrition and beauty products.

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When humans turned from hunting and gathering to farming some 10,000 years ago, they set our species on the road to civilization. Agricultural surpluses led to division of labor, the rise of cities, and technological innovation. But civilization has had both its blessings and its curses. One downside of farming, a new study demonstrates, was a shortening of the human jaw that has left precious little room for our teeth and sends many of us to an orthodontist’s chair.

2) Gary Taubes Talk on Why We Get Fat (source: Value Investing World)

I’ve been getting Gary Taubes’ lectures sent to me from my friend Miguel Barosa at Simoleon Sense

I think the title says it all.

Enjoy!

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1) Healthcare Uncovered (source: The Boston Channel)

Clip 1
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/27538726/detail.html

Clip 2
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/27538932/detail.html

Clip 3
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/27538873/detail.html

2) College Obesity

By: Marina Salsbury

Obesity is becoming an increasing problem in adults and children throughout the United States. As our culture becomes faster- and faster-paced and technology use rises, adults are finding less time to exercise or to cook healthy food while spending more time sitting at desks. College students are often thought of as an active demographic, but in reality they spend quite a bit of time sedentary in lectures, in dorm rooms completing online college classes, and hours reading in libraries. Troubling statistics show that up to one third of college students are struggling with obesity, and many aren’t making healthy choices to combat this statistic.

Obesity is not the same as being overweight. “Overweight” simply means weighing more than is recommended given one’s height and weight. It could be due to an excess of fat, muscle, or even water weight. On the other hand, obesity is an excess of body fat occurring when one consumes more calories than one burns off.

College students’ lifestyles lends themselves to obesity if healthy habits aren’t instituted. There are a number of reasons for this. First, students may no longer be eating three healthy meals each day as they were when living at home. Skipping breakfast is disastrous since the student will be hungry all day and will turn to unhealthy food choices to satisfy hunger. Secondly, some college students eat a large amount of junk food filled with empty calories. Soda, chips, candy bars, and alcohol are all high-calorie foods without much other nutritional value.

Thirdly, stress leads to eating. College students certainly find themselves under a great deal of stress from packed class schedules, hectic work environments, and unrelenting deadlines. Many students turn to comfort foods, which are often high in carbohydrates, fats, and calories instead of other healthy options to provide energy-laden minerals and protein.

Fourthly, a great many students are unable to find time for exercising. Without a daily routine, students find they’re simply too tired to exercise, have too many other activities, or are fighting peer pressure to party instead. Regular exercise is critical to health in youth as much as later in life, but college-age students often fail to realize this until they encounter serious health problems.

Students need to be warned that this issue is about more than just body image and self-esteem. While it is true obesity can greatly affect these social and psychological aspects, there are a number of other long-term consequences to obesity. Obesity can negatively affect the reproductive system, the weight-bearing joints of the body, and may even cause problems such as gallbladder disease and frequent heartburn.

College campuses and students can both equip themselves to fight this rising epidemic. Campuses can provide healthier food and drink choices in vending machines such as nuts, dried fruits, water, and fruit juices. They can also install more exercise equipment and provide outdoor or indoor running tracks, swimming pools, and game courts. Campus cafeterias should focus on serving foods made from whole ingredients and should offer adequate portions of fresh fruits and vegetables.

However, it’s up to students themselves to make the wise decisions when faced with a variety of choices. Students should be careful to eat three balanced meals each day and never to skip breakfast. Carrying healthy, portable snacks in one’s purse, car, or backpack can make food choices easy when sudden munchies hit. Eating a healthy snack before going to a party or other social gathering can ward off later overeating.

In addition, students should exercise for at least thirty minutes four to five days every week. Exercise can easily be fit into any day by making choices such as walking to the library, running errands on foot instead of by car, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator to class.

Each college student has the option of breaking free from the dangerous cycle of unhealthy eating behaviors and minimal exercise. Peer pressure should not stop anyone from caring for his body to have a healthy future. In addition, good habits established in college can become lifelong changes for the better.

3) Top 10 Factors that can affect our weight

By: Amanda Kidd

When you refer to a person as being obese or over weight, it means that the overall body weight of the person in comparison to his height is too high. Over weight means having extra body weight from bone, fat, muscle and/or water whereas obesity simply means having a high amount of extra body fat. Managing your weight consistently may be a problem for many, especially if they are under medical treatments or ill in some way or the other. It could get in the way of losing weight and there is no way to deal with it but to be aware of what causes the weight change and make the best out of the situation. Listed below are the top ten medical conditions and factors that may affect your weight.

1. Low thyroid

A thyroid that is under active can put an end to your metabolism, thus keeping your weight on. If you have the slightest suspect that your thyroid is out of control, make sure you visit a doctor and have him assess all aspects of your thyroid production and subscribe medicines accordingly. For some regular prescriptions would work but for others, it could be natural remedies like Armor or homoeopathic and Ayurvedic remedies, assisting the treatments with daily exercise also helps to balance your hormones.

2. Some medications

Many medicines can prevent weight loss or make you gain weight. Steroids and asthma inhalers in particular are known to cause weight gain, invariably slowing or stopping your progress. It is important that you talk to your doctor and have him suggest alternatives to your steroid medications and how to ease off them.

3. Pain

Chronic pain can indirectly affect your weight. It will harness your desire to exercise, thus making you lethargic and prone to weight gain. If you are in constant pain from arthritis or other injuries, you become inactive, but you end up not adjusting the food intake accordingly, thereby slowing metabolism rates. It is understandable that doing severe exercises might be difficult, but it is still possible to do some sort of movements. Get the advice from a physiotherapist who can guide you towards exercises fit for you and may even ultimately help in healing your state.

4. Low blood sugar

Low blood sugar means your blood sugar has dropped fast without any warning and has caught you unaware. It could be followed by nausea, headaches, crankiness and a heavy duty craving for any kind of food, and lots of it. The craving for food would make you binge on sweet, fatty and starchy foods, invariably putting your weight at stake. When in a situation like this, the key is to eat enough protein meals. Keep some snacks around and eat them when you are hungry. You could say goodbye to low blood sugar with proper nutritional methods.

5. Diabetes

Diabetes and weight gain unfortunately share a symbolic relationship. People who are overweight or obese have a high chance of developing diabetes and so the weight must be controlled at least to reduce risk. People with Type 2 diabetics who can regulate their blood sugar levels with a proper diet can often reach their desired size as opposed to those using insulin who would need a more monitored weight loss programme. If left unnoticed, it causes severe weight gain.

6. Birth control pills

As much as birth control pills have certain other advantages, the weight gain associated with it is vital. It could sometimes be a little, or sometimes a lot and varies from women to women. If you realize that you are gaining weight by consuming birth control contact the doctor who prescribed them and find a formulation that would help reduce weight gain. Also try and avoid the three month shots and systems which would wreak havoc with the hormones and will significantly add on pounds. Find another method of contraception if you are fighting an increase in weight.

7. Food sensitivity

Food sensitivity can also cause weight gain without really realizing it, as it is not an immediate reaction. They could occur hours later in the form of bloating and swelling of hands feet and ankles and around the eyes. Much of it is due to fluid retention caused by inflammation and the release of certain hormones, in addition to the fermentation of certain foods which can result in swollen body parts.

8. Kidney, heart or liver diseases

If your kidneys have failed or you have a liver disease then the chances of weight gain are more as there is significant amount of fluid retention. They could appear as general puffiness all over the body especially around the ankles and the eyes. People with congenital heart defects on the valves, interior walls of the heart or the arteries and veins can also be prone to weight gain.

9. Cushing’s syndrome

The Cushing’s disorder is caused due to the excess amounts of a hormone called cortisol. Fat accumulates around the face, upper back and abdomen making one look over weight. Other problems include muscle weakness, easy bruising, high blood pressure and glucose intolerance.

10. Breathing problems

Although it is unclear whether the weight gain is caused due to sleep disordered breathing, people with breathing problems like snoring and sleep apnea are known to have a persistent weight gain issue. The breathing problems are associated with alterations in energy metabolism which in turn leads to weight gain.
Other than these problems, weight gain could also be due to an underlying issue like ovarian cyst, obstruction of lymph fluid etc. If you start noticing weight gain without any particular illness, it is advisable to get in touch with a doctor who would be able to do tests and diagnose the problem before it is too late. At the end, if you have a proper diet and a healthy exercise regime, you should be able to handle your weight loss issue properly.

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